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Fourth Sunday of Lent
Pink or Laetare Sunday is the liturgical way to remind us during this somber season of Lent, to “lighten up” and remember that our salvation is a present reality.
Often we, as Prophetic Disciples can take for granted, the most marvelous event ever to shake human history. It was summed up in the Gospel just proclaimed to you: “God so loved the world that God gave God’s only Begotten One, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Three words in that sentence are crucial: love, give, life. God loved…so God gave…that we might live. Each word is mystery-laden, but the mystery has been somewhat unveiled. A word on each word.
Click here to read the full message.
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John 3:14-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
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MESSAGE FROM FATHER ANDREW
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I will be making a pilgrimage to the
Holy Land, November 6 – 16, 2015.
The Pilgrimage will be organized by the Rev. Earle King of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Grand Island, NY. This will be Fr. King’s sixth pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Our families have been friends since 1982 and I continue to work with Fr. King as a part of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
There are several spaces available to join this pilgrimage. A $300 non-refundable deposit is required by the end of January to reserve a place.
See Fr. Green’s Flyer here. Full Details here. Contact Fr. Earl King at 716-773-3335 or at padreking@aol.com
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Click the image to view/print a copy.
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“Sundays at 9:15”
In The Library
Welcome to The Episcopal Café Discussion Group! Sessions will be held in the Chapel Room in the Parish Hall. These discussion/sharing sessions are based on online topics from Episcopal websites,
Toward an Earthly Spirituality – Guest presenter Rev. Dean Lueking: a five week Lenten series from biblical King David that speaks uniquely to our time.
3/15 David and Generosity: (I Samuel 30);
David and Sovereign Grace (2 Samuel 7)
3/22 David and Bathsheba: Sin (2 Samuel 11-12);
David and Absalom; Suffering (2 Sam. 16-18)
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Church”
Taizé Services
Taizé Prayer Services will be moving to Tuesday evenings throughout Lent, 3/17, 3/24 at 7:00 PM in the church.
(NOTE: There will be no sessions on Palm Sunday 3/29, Tuesday of Holy Week 3/31 and Easter 4/5)
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Our Homeless Brothers and Sisters
Still Need Your Help
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Our goal now is to resume monthly deliveries of new underwear and socks to Roy’s residents – a gift that is both urgently needed and much appreciated. Please help feed the hungry and clothe the naked with a financial contribution this month. Simply drop your check, payable to “St. Paul in the Desert,” in the collection plate or hand it to an usher with a notation on the “memo” line that it is for the “Roy’s Fund.” For more information contact Chris Kelly at 760-406-2978. Both the Roy’s team and residents are truly grateful for your support.
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REPORT MISCONDUCT
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact the John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
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A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Paul’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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At the Church
of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
. . . continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, (or view and print), to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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Episcopalians Against Gun Violence
. . . is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, click here.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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Taizé
Prayer Services
for Lent
. . . led by Nathan Ensign, will be held on Tuesday evenings throughout Lent at 7:00 PM in the church: 3/17, 3/24.
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The next parish Vestry meeting will be held in the Library on Thursday, March 26th at 6:00PM.
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 The Altar Guild invites all to join in making palm crosses for Palm Sunday and cleaning and decorating the church in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. The fun begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 28th in the parish hall. Breakfast will be served!
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Longtime member Marilyn Johnson died Friday, March 6th. She was involved in many aspects of our Parish Life.
Funeral Service
March 27, 2015
2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s
May she rest in peace.
Marilyn Ann Johnson
January 22, 1933 – March 6, 2015
A celebration of life will be held for Peter Salameto on Friday, March 27th at 11:00 AM here at the Church of St Paul in the Desert.
Peter J.M. Salometo
May 11, 1944 – February 23, 2015
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Concert
Sunday, March 22nd
Meg Irwin-Brandon will present a solo harpsichord recital, in honor of Jaap Schröder’s 90th year and in memory of his wife Agnès, on Sunday, March 22 at 4:00 PM in the Parish Hall. A suggested donation of $15 is requested and a reception to greet the artist and one another will follow. Contact Nathan Ensign at 760.320.7488, ext. 225 for more information.
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The Social Justice Team
. . . will meet Thursday, March 12th at 7 p.m. in the Library. All thoughts and ideas are welcome. The discussion will focus on reworking our local ministry in education as well as on possible global initiatives.
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Available in the Parish Hall
Living Well through Lent 2015, a publication from the Living Compass Faith & Wellness Ministry, provides daily readings and suggestions for reflection and action, inviting you to engage fully in your Lenten journey. Pick yours up today!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
(FORMERLY “GODLY PLAY”)
NEEDS –-> YOU
We are looking for volunteers to be Story Tellers and/or Doorkeepers (observers) for our Sunday School program during the 10:30 service. This is an opportunity to teach children through biblical readings and activities selected by the Sunday School Team from an Episcopal curriculum. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact Ted Barjas at 760.902.1014.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on April 8, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Coffee hours following the 8:00 AM and the 10:30 AM services today are hosted by Lucinda and John Hampson. Please consider volunteering as a Coffee Hour host in 2015.
A binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall indicates available Sundays throughout the year. There are several Sundays available through the end of the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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